Supreme Court rejects PIL against Vodafone
THE Supreme Court yesterday rejected a PIL seeking a direction to the Government to collect the income tax arrears from Vodafone.
The Petitioner, Bishwajit Bhattacharyya, a former Additional Solicitor General filed this writ praying:
"Issue an appropriate Writ, order or direction under Article 32 of Constitution of India to comply with rule of law while administering the Income Tax Act, 1961, impartially, even handedly, without fear or favour, etc."
Civil Appeal No. 733 of 2012 concerning tax dispute involving the Vodafone Group with the Income Tax/Authorities was disposed of by the Court vide Judgment dated 20.01.2012. (2012-TII-01-SC-LB-INTL)
As we know, the Government undid the Supreme Court judgement and now Vodafone is in arbitration with the Government and this is what the petitioner is challenging. The petitioner submitted that the Income Tax Department is not taking any action to recover the demand from Vodafone.
However the petitioner, appearing in person, sought permission of the Court yesterday to withdraw the Writ Petition with liberty to file a fresh petition with all the necessary documents.
Permission sought for is granted by the Supreme Court and the writ petition is disposed of as withdrawn.